Perspectives of Astrophysics in Germany from 2017 to 2030

At the annual meeting of the German Astronomical Society 2017, the Council of German Observatories (in German: Rat Deutscher Sternwarten, or RDS for short) presented the Denkschrift 2017 “Perspectives of astrophysics in Germany 2017-2030: From the beginnings of the cosmos to clues for life on extrasolar planets“. This publication gives an overview of the status of the field of astronomy and astrophysics, presents the main scientific questions and lays out the structures needed to further promote the field.

As to primarily address the science-political landscape and decision makers in Germany, the document is written in German. At the beginning, however, there is an Executive Summary in English. The Denkschrift 2017 is based on 20 strategy papers in English.